The 'Sheep & Shih Tzu' Trick: How to Remember 12 Kanji Read as SHI (し)
Dozens of Japanese kanji share the reading SHI (し). See how Shibashi uses Mr. Sheep and the Shih Tzu dog in custom artwork so you never forget which kanji read し.
し (shi) is one of the most common readings in Japanese. If you try to memorize which kanji read shi using plain text flashcards, they all blur together. Shibashi solves this with a single visual rule: whenever a kanji has the reading し (shi), look for _Mr. Sheep_ (し) or the _Shih Tzu_ (し) in the card artwork!
Quick Comparison: 四 (Four) vs. 支 (Support) vs. 史 (History) vs. 至 (Attain)
Compare these 12 high-frequency App Kanjis where Mr. Sheep or the Shih Tzu locks in the し (shi) reading at a single glance:
| Kanji & Meaning | Primary Readings (Bold = Primary) | Shibashi Visual Mnemonic Hook | Common Compound Word |
|---|---|---|---|
| 四 — Four | On: し Kun: よん |
The _shee_p (し) doing a four-second yawn (よん) = Four | 四 (し) — four |
| 支 — Support | On: し Kun: ささ |
Mr. _Shee_p (し) supported in his chair after salsa (ささ) = Support | 支度 (したく) — to prepare |
| 史 — History | On: し Kun: — |
The _shee_p (し) using a historic payphone = History | 史学 (しがく) — study of history; histori... |
| 至 — Attain | On: し Kun: いた |
The little _shi_tzu (し) attaining nirvana in Italy (いた) = Attain | 至る (いたる) — to arrive at; to reach (a... |
| 氏 — Family Name | On: し Kun: — |
_Shee_p (し) with a family name hook = Clan / Surname | 氏 (し) — Mr., Ms., family name, clan |
| 市 — City | On: し Kun: いち |
_Shee_p (し) at the bustling City / Market (いち) | 市場 (いちば) — (town) market, (street) m... |
| 使 — Use | On: し Kun: つか |
Mr. _Shee_p (し) Using (つか) the payphone = Use | 大使館 (たいしかん) — embassy |
| 私 — I | On: し Kun: わたし |
Selfish _shee_p (し) at the piano = I / Private (わたし) | 私 (わたし) — I, me |
| 止 — Stop | On: し Kun: と, や |
Mr. _Shee_p (し) at a closed road = Stop (と) | 中止 (ちゅうし) — interruption, discontinua... |
| 子 — Child | On: し, す Kun: こ |
Baby _shee_p (し) drinking cocoa (こ) = Child | 男の子 (おとこのこ) — boy |
| 糸 — Thread | On: し Kun: いと |
_Shee_p (し) by the pine tree = Thread (いと) | 糸 (いと) — thread |
| 閉 — Closed | On: へい Kun: し, と |
_Shee_p (し) by the hay (へい) at the bolted gate = Closed | 閉める (しめる) — to close, to shut |
Illustrated Kanji Flashcards(Tap Readings for Audio)
In 支 (し / ささ — Support), Mr. _Shee_p recovers in a fancy chair after salsa class. In 史 (し — History), the _shee_p calls on a historic payphone — which also unlocks 使 (し / つか — Use)! In 至 (し / いた — Attain), the little _shi_tzu meditates indoors. In 四 (し / よん — Four), the _shee_p does a four-second yawn, and in 子 (し / こ — Child), 糸 (し / いと — Thread), and 閉 (し / へい — Closed), the sheep anchors shi every single time!
Essential Japanese Vocabulary Words Using 四 / 支 / 史 / 至
Once you can recognize 四 (Four) and 支 (Support) and 史 (History) individually, lock them into your active reading vocabulary with these high-frequency Japanese words from the Shibashi app:
| Japanese Word | Hiragana Reading | English Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 四 | し | four | JLPT |
| 支度 | したく | to prepare | JLPT |
| 支える | ささえる | to be blocked, to choke, to be obstructed | JLPT |
| 支店 | してん | branch store (office) | JLPT |
| 史学 | しがく | study of history; historical science | JLPT |
| 古代史 | こだいし | ancient history | JLPT |
| 史家 | しか | historian | JLPT |
| 至る | いたる | to arrive at; to reach (a stage); to attain | JLPT |
5-Second Memory Summary: How to Never Mix Up 四 & 支 & 史 Again
Spot the Sheep or Shih Tzu in the illustration → the reading is し (shi)!
